Imade Osarenkhoe’s first-half stoppage time goal, from the penalty spot, was the difference as Bendel Insurance of Benin defeated 10-man Rangers International of Enugu 1-0, to emerge winners of the 2023 NFF/Tingo Federation Cup, on Wednesday.
It was a dour final, played at the Stephen Keshi Memorial Stadium, Asaba, capital of Delta State; and there was little or nothing to separate both sides.
Many had expected fireworks from the two rivals, that made the domestic cup thick in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
However, just about halftime, a melee ensued after the Ranger’s defense was unable to clear their lines.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and the culprit was sent off, for receiving a second yellow card.
The referee was immediately surrounded by protesting players of Rangers, but replays on TV monitors showed that there was a handball by a defender who appeared to be too close to the player that attempted the shot.
Eventually, Insurance’s leading scorer in the league, Imade Osarenkhoe stepped forward and made the soft penalty count; there were no further goals, meaning the Benin Arsenal won a major trophy, for the first time since 1995, 28 years ago.
In all, it’s the 4th domestic cup triumph for Monday Odigie tutored Insurance side, after winning the then national challenge cup in 1972, 1978, and 1980.
On the other hand, six-time winners, Enugu Rangers missed out on the chance of making it seven, as well as making amends for a below-par performance, in the league.
The Flying Antelopes got N7.5 million reward for reaching the final.
Wednesday’s victory means, Bendel Insurance despite faltering at the NPFL Super Six in Lagos, has ended the season on a high, and will pocket N15 million as prize money, and go on to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Meanwhile, holders Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa deservedly defeated eight-time winners, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt 4-2 on penalties, after a goalless 90 minutes, to win the 2023 NFF/Tingo Federation Cup.
Having lost their NWFL league title to Delta Queens of Asaba just over a week ago, during which four of their supporters died in a fatal auto-crash, the players, officials, and supporters were virtually in years of joy, as the nail-biting shootouts came to a pulsating end.
